The Link Autumn 2019 The Link Oct-Nov 2019 v2 | Page 11

Go wild this Autumn Join a volunteer work party Monday 7th October 10am to 3pm Priest Hill - Monthly volunteering Location: Priest Hill, Reigate Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3BZ Friday 18th October 9.30am to 2.30pm Bay Pond - Monthly site maintenanc e Join SWT staff and volunteers to help conserve the grassland habitat which is used for school visits as an educational reserve. Location: Bay Pond Educational Reserve, Godstone High Street, Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8DT Monday 4th November 10am to 3pm Priest Hill - Monthly site maintenance Join SWT staff and volunteers to protect this rare chalk grassland reserve, an important habitat for the small blue butterfly. Location: Priest Hill, Reigate Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3BZ Naturally, working outside has lots of health benefits. It gives you regular exercise and is a lot cheaper than the gym. But donating your experience and skills helps you develop in other ways too. Jane hasn’t looked back since discovering Surrey Wildlife Trust “Having lived in Surrey all my life I think it is a great county and one that is often overlooked. I had some time on my hands and wanted to do some- thing to care for the county and its wildlife. Little did I know just how much I would enjoy the experience and how much I would learn. Volunteering is now part of my weekly routine.” Victoria has also noticed another effect of volunteering. “There’s such a range of characters, which leads to lots of banter. And the more fun we have, the more we get done.” Indeed, research shows that volunteering builds empathy, strengthens social bonds – and makes you smile. If you would like to become a volunteer and protect Surrey’s wildlife please register at www.surreywild lifetrust.org/volunteering or email volunteers@ surreywt.org.uk The Link Wednesday 13th November 10am to 3pm Howell Hill - Scrub clearance Join staff and volunteers to maintain chalk grassland habitats and increase biodiversity. Location: Howell Hill, Cuddington Way, East Ewell, Surrey, SM2 7JB Friday 15th November 10am to 3pm West Hanger - Collaborative task Join Surrey Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation to improve habitat for the small blue butterfly. Location: West Hanger, Staple Lane, Shere, Surrey, GU5 9TD Friday 22nd November 9.30am to 2.30pm Bay Pond - Monthly site maintenance Help maintain this grassland site for our education team and school visits. Location: Bay Pond Educational Reserve, Godstone High Street, Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8DT 11